Hundreds of dignitaries, family members and friends gathered in front of the Broyles Athletic Center on Friday morning for the dedication of a statue honoring former University of Arkansas head football coach and athletic director Frank Broyles.

The statue stands seven and a half feet and weighs more than 700 pounds. Dr. Gary Renegar sculpted the statue based on photos of Coach Broyles during his 19-year coaching career at the University of Arkansas.

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The 30-minute ceremony included remarks from Chancellor Dave Gearhart, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long, former Razorback football student-athletes Jim Lindsey and Ken Hatfield as well as Coach Broyles.

Broyles served the University of Arkansas for more than 50 years as a head football coach and athletic director. Broyles stepped down from his position as athletic director in 2007 and has been working with the Razorback Foundation as Athletic Director Emeritus since that time.

“I have lived a charmed life,” Coach Broyles said. “It has been a privilege to be here at the University of Arkansas for more than 50 years. I am blessed to have been part of a great university, a remarkable athletic program and a wonderful state for so long. I am deeply appreciative of this honor and believe the statue will serve as a tribute to all of those who have played a part in the tremendous accomplishments of the Razorback program and the University of Arkansas.”

Broyles came to the Arkansas in December 1957. Broyles first serve as the Razorbacks’ head football coach in 1958 before taking over the reins of the Arkansas athletics program in 1973. As head coach, he compiled a record of 144-58-5 in 19 seasons, was named the AFCA national coach of the year in 1964 and Southwest Conference coach of the year six times.

Arkansas won the 1964 national championship and won seven SWC titles. His teams earned 10 bowl bids, and he coached 20 All-Americans and 88 All-Southwest Conference selections. Soon after his retirement from coaching, Broyles made a move to the broadcasting booth working along-side legendary sports announcer Keith Jackson with ABC’s college football coverage for nine years.

As men's athletics director, Broyles oversaw a program that claimed 43 national titles, 57 championships in the Southwest Conference and 48 Southeastern Conference championships, and earned 22 football bowl bids. During his tenure as athletic director, Broyles oversaw the construction and renovation of all athletic facilities on campus including the renovation of Donald. W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and the construction of Bud Walton Arena and Baum Stadium.

In 1996, Broyles was honored with an award named in his honor, the Broyles Award, which is awarded to the country's top assistant football coach. The field at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium was named Frank Broyles Field in 2007.